Show B8 — The Herald Journal Logan Utah Sunday September IS 2002 a I fi-- Continued from B1 and sensation or speech paralysis “The idea of not only doing LOTOJA but finishing it was a real challenge for me” Peck said Friday night before this year’s race ‘To win it last year was icing on the cake” She was back for her second LOTOJA normally a 203-mione day event but this year shortened to 180 miles because ' of construction near Jackson Wyo Pock has no expectations of repeating as the female winner Her top goal like most of the rest of the riders is to finish race- the grueling one-da- y “For me with the MS often it Peck said really is finish is best and to hope “My finish strong If I place anywhere that would be wonderful but I I want to feel don’t expect too good about the race and give it le day-to-da- y” Eli LuceroHeraid Journal Lisa Peck pedals along the LOTOJA course near Grace Idaho during Saturdas road race Fast Continued from B1 - i ' ' 'i- ' ' LOTOJA road race Logan cyclist Bob Van Siyke won with a time of just over nine hours The LOTOJA tradition was bom Twenty years later the race has matured in every aspect imaginable The 2002 LOTOJA Class featured 730 riders offered 17 different rider categories and was managed by more than 100 volunteers However one drawback of LOTOJA 2002 was the shortening of the race tol80 miles due to safety and fairness concerns that arose from heavy construction in Wyoming Rather than head east out of Alpine towards Hoback Junction this year’s route took rid-- 1 era northwest into Idaho eventually ending at the small town of Swan Valley “For 20 years we’ve gone up the Snake River Canyon” race director Brent Chambers said “But for the past five years we’ve had to battle construction through the canyon they are widening the canyon And every year it’s a different experience This year is probably the most aggressive they have ever been with the canyon They have 11 miles under construction “The people that sanction our event the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) felt there were two issues that needed to be addressed One was safety which we felt we'd covered but the second was fairness The decision that came from them (USCF) was that they didn't feel like it was fair play For those cyclists ' that are riding this race to win — for them to have to stop at a construction site and be caught by other riders — they felt that was an unfair race " h i : For a few riders LOTOJA symbolizes a life change Or not? “Turned 30 smoked and drank all my life and now I'm starting fresh” said Steve Santora of Salt Lake City The longest I’ve ever ridden is maybe a mile and a half but I think I can do it I feel good about it “No I'm just ludding” Santora clarified "This is my fourth or fifth time” For other participants it’s the end of a season a season that was full of hopes and dreams LOTOJA is the last chance to achieve success or realize agoal "It has been my goal for the season” first time LOTOJA participant Jonathon Rivinus said "The accomplishment of racing 180 miles that’s huge Everyone out here is in it for the endorphins” Strategy A race the size of LOTOJA is not Something a rider just Friday: Preparations On Friday racers gathered up and enters There is plenty to register for the LOTOJA of thought and planning that feast on catered food and revel takes place Finishing is a big in contemporary rock and roll accomplishment For most which was provided by a live riders this is the sole objecband The scene was lively as tive which their strategy anxious racer's prepared for revolves around 180 miles of unforgiving “The first stage is the hardest after that you’re on pavement Riders of all ages shapes autopilot” CUld said "It's 70 and sizes put away pasta and miles before you can get any downed cold beverages as they food or water from your supchatted with other riders talkport car" Of course some cyclists are ing strategy and renewing old on at least taking a acquaintances as they eagerly shot at winning And speed anticipated an early morning becomes critical to their strat- egress the following day Why? egy Most participants seemed to “Go real fast for as long as the food music and but we can” cyclist Scott Martin enjoy most people do So if it’s not said “Drafting is critical the food and music what posespecially in a race this long ” sesses someone to put them- -' Drafting is when riders selves through so much stack up directly behind one mental and physical anguish? another tapping into the sciSome are simply in it to win ence of aerodynamics which die race enables all of them to go faster “I'd like to win” racer Eric as well as pedal easier Diet is also extremely imporFlynn said “I’m going to try and see how it goes” tant and must be carefully However most riders are planned Most riders will finish not concerned at all with winbetween nine and 12 hours but ' slower cyclists can be on their ning the race "I’ve got friends that road bikes for quite a while race all the time so I thought "Nothing solid to eat” RiviI’d get into it” said Derek nus said “Do a lot of liquids Telleson of Huntsville “Now I ' water and sports drinks and love it It’s just pure being then a bunch of gels bananas outside and just spinning down and oranges” the road with good friends1 State gically speaking For some it's the small LOTOJA’s distance reigns tokens and trinkets they supreme Most riders name distance as the hardest part of receive upon registering to ride in a LOTOJA Classic the trek and must be consid- - it t i ? ? nigged mountains weather has to be a concern Fall in the Rockies means unpredictable weather “In 1997 it rained for 8 hours” Santora said “It was tough we were drenched A group of six of us started and Howie and I were the only ones that finished” Some cyclists ride both : mountain and road bikes Which one do they feel is more dangerous? is more “I’d say Bird said The dangerous” whole lightness skinny tires and getting a lot of flats” —Saturday: Race Day LOTOJA Classic 2002 started without a hitch at 6:30 am 6-- simply does not come without risks There’s traffic to be con- sidered — cyclists as well as automobile traffic “Last year I crashed in the first three miles” Child said “I hooked handle ban with my cousin and he’s a little bit bigger than me so I went down road-biki- ng nine-and-a-h- alf -- ISO events Since she began cycling Peck has seen more women get involved in the sport ami called it “terrific” The more women that get involved the better” Peck said “All ages are taking it up First they get into the recreational aspect of it then try a race or ‘ two and hopefully they are hooked I think it is very exciting Women are terrific athletes especially for cycling They have strength and endurance Women can dd well” Peck has proven that Riders adorned in bright coins and sleek clothing paced back and forth as they waited fn their class to be called ghostly However die once jovial scene in Logan slowly began to reappear in Swan Valley Idaho where LOTOJA’s fin- ish line patiently awaited tired cyclists According to unofficial results Kirk Eck from Smithfield finished with the fastest time at 7:39:01 and Robin Mcgee was the fastest for the women with a time of 8: 18:08 By late afternoon many riders had already crossed the finish line and were happily on their way to ' hotels and hot tubs “Amazing" said Chambers' summing up his feelings on the LOTOJA Classic 2002 “It was a great day and a great race Finally the first call to the starting line came and warm hugs and nervous smiles were exchanged as the cyclists mounted up A count of “L 2 3” was given followed by a loud "go” The crowd who were sipping hot chocolate and coffee to stay warm came alive and let out a roar as the first batch of riders sped away By 8 a m all of the cyclists and their support groups had departed and were on their way to vie- tory personal triumph and leaving the scene in Logan morose and ' K ' ' Return Sprint Q F(SS Vision’ from PCS Sprint It's clearly a whole Bums lk new way to look at wireless Now you can do more than just male a phone catL Msu can taka and send dgital pictures Play games Download screen awn PCS Send and mcme emai Chat Brawn the Vltti And moia Al in color Al on our enhanced Sprint Nationwide Network Only Sprint buit the fargest nationwide network with al-P- atanced ' ' multimedia services leaching more than 230 mirmn people for darity you can see Special Offer: Get-Start- ed © 500 Anytime Minutest PCS Vision" for 44” This PCS Free & Clear Plan with Virion gives you man minutes to Anytime Minutes pta 4000 Night & Wkend Nationwide Long Distance a included anrmMNaoonrirwwoft And now for a limited time QGt PCS n un whenever PCS two-ye- ar Adosage-Agraemen- t in the US from anywhere on the you can call to anywhere © L select PCS Smm you want -- 4500 kfinutai That 500 2MB of PCS Vision with a Minutes-a- nd Scr&tQ PtlOIIBS FREE with a $100 instanl rebate A two-y-w Advantage Agreement is required nt J i Of course when traveling in Safety First Of all the things that factor into a race like LOTOJA safety is the chief concern for riders as well as race officials A race the size of LOTOJA - - ' After dabbling in cycling for a couple of years the actually got serious about the sport in 1996 when she was ered first and foremost when planning to tackle miles and miles of cold pavement “It's definitely the distance” Flynn said “This is die longest one-da- y sanctioned race in the United States” - I Peck became so serious about cycling that she is now a professional mountain bike racer but hasn’t given up her main job Peck is a lawyer Racing in the mountains on courses that are “intensity based” are different that road facing Normally her races are two hours long so training for LOTOJA takes some time and effort She laughed when asked about the distance being shorter this year Peck pointed out there ate a few more trills “Once you get beyond the 150-mi- le mark I think it is long no matter how you slice it” Peck said “It takes a lot of endurance a lot of getting used to being in the saddle for five six seven eight hours That is a long day in the saddle You really have to get' your body used to that” Last year it took Peck hours to complete the course She is not a novice to road racing competing in many MS ISOs around the country Peck is headed to Connecticut next week and then to Arizona the following weekend for MS todo" hell-be- J forme” it” myall” “It’s the One thing for sure everyone is in it for the camaraderie A crowd of 730 people in one place sometimes can mean trouble but not the LOTOJA crowd Everyone acted if they were attending a family reunion — ana in a way maybe they were There was a lot of laughing shaking hands hugs and engaging conversations "I’m just here to be with my friends” cyclist Howard Kadish said “For 10 hours on my bike just hanging with my buddies Laugh com- memorate and complain the whole 10 hours That’s why we do it” For others LOTOJA is a matter of opportunity and not knowing when the opportunity might present itself again “I did it last year” Clint Child said figured I’d be going on my mission next year and I had nothing beter diagnosed with MS She knew of LOTOJA and finally gained the courage to attempt it in 2001 The cycling certainly makes me feel better if nothing else psychologically” Peck said “Keeping fit and keeping healthy is certainly a good thing I took cycling more seriously after I was diagnosed Having done so it’s done nothing but good things In fact Peck was “on the fence” about even coming this year She had bronchitis and has been on antibiotics but was in high spirits before the race and feeling somewhat better She also has a message to cany along with five other team members of Biogen Peck started the team last year Biogen makes the leading medication for people with MS Peck and teammate Linde Smith both have MS “I started the team largely to raise awareness about MS and education for its therapies because a lot of people don’t know what it is” Peck said “It can be a scary and debilitating disease The more visible me and Linde Smith can become to peo- pie who have MS or know people with MS the more hope that there is Someone like us are not expected to be racing certainly not 200 miles and we are doing Peck 1 p v: Sprint Storer V PCS Cm ESSIES ESSIES logan &MwStiA Lee's Marketplace 505 East 1400 North Brigham City 135)7233257 : (435)752-750- 0 M-- 9--8 Set lagan 1435)752-452- 10-- 5 Suit 12-- 5 nESIKEUMHESS mi i— u m rwuv voppjnm Emporium ? 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